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Minister Creed once again failing farmers on Fodder Crisis - Carthy

Speaking after hearing the outcome of the long awaited
second meeting of the Fodder Action Group in Sligo today (Monday), Sinn Fein
MEP Matt Carthy said:

“The disappointing outcome is a testament to the Government’s indifference to the now severe crisis facing many Irish farmers.

“It was widely anticipated that Minister Creed was going to
announce the implementation of a fodder transport subsidy scheme.

"Although the
most appropriate solution to the crisis is a feed/meal subsidy, the
transportation subsidy would have been an acknowledgement to fearful farmers that
their call for intervention is not falling on deaf ears.

“We are now left facing a situation where 85% of farmers in
the North West are without sufficient fodder, with a large proportion having
less than half of what is required.

"A price of €50 for a bale of silage is now
becoming the norm. With the added cost of transport this is simply
unaffordable.

“Farmers are being backed into a corner where selling good
quality suckler cows is the only option to reduce the fodder required and to make
some cash available for feed."

“It is untenable for Minister Creed to sit on his hands a
second longer on this issue. I am therefore calling on the Minister to, with
immediate effect, announce a €40/t feed/meal subsidy.

Failing that, a transport
subsidy would be welcomed to begin to deliver some long overdue relief.

“Anything less from the Minister will send a message loud
and clear that this government cannot be trusted to protect the livelihoods of
Irish farmers”.